Dei Bardi Art

Base of a carved wooden candelabrum, polychrome and gilded; cross painted on both sides. Umbria or Tuscany, 16th century 136 x 43,5 x 30 cm (The cross and the base of the candelabrum were later assembled) The base of the candelabrum is intricately carved and adorned with polychrome and gilded finishes. The shafts take on the shape of balusters reminiscent of ancient columns, feature ornate foliage decorations, garlands and winged cherub faces. The feet are crafted in the likeness of lion paws. The base is further embellished with depictions of four saint martyrs, among them Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The plasticity of the figures, outlined with strong contour lines, the clear and vibrant colors, are stylistic elements linked to the Umbrian tradition of the sixteenth century.The precisely defined and elegant drawing, along with the clear color palette applied with refined chiaroscuro modulations, became the signature of a style that would leave a lasting mark on the era to come. This is exemplified by a preference for vibrant, multicolored images, accentuated in this case by the use of red and pink in the saint's attire. A notable addition, introduced later, is a polylobed cross painted on both sides. On one side, the Crucifixion is vividly portrayed:The treatment of the corpus itself is in line with High Medieval practice, emphasizing pathos by showing Jesus dead, his arms sagging from the weight of the body. The upper section displaying a pelican pecks at her breast to feed her young with her own blood; a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross whose body and blood similarly nourishes the celebrant during Mass. The lower part depicts Golgotha. On the reverse side, the Resurrection is artistically presented in a Renaissance iconography, reminiscent of the renowned composition painted by Piero della Francesca, now housed in the Civic Museum of Sansepolcro. In terms of composition, with the frontal depiction of Christ holding the banner, this motif became particularly widespread in central Italy, spanning from Tuscany to Umbria throughout the 16th century.. The double-sided construction suggests that it may also have been carried in liturgical processions. In Umbria from the 14th century, the use of portable crosses painted on both sides had become a widespread practice, aimed at satisfying the monastic clientele that had significantly increased following the establishment of new religious communities. The earliest surviving Tuscan painted crucifix represent Christ as Christus Triumphans, or the “Triumphant Christ” with his head up and eyes open. This form was supplanted in the 13th century with the Christus Patiens, or “Suffering Christ” type who is shown often with his head fallen on his shoulder and his eyes closed, as In our cross. The iconography of the suffering Christ appears to have developed out of a new interest in Christ’s human nature, the development of the feast of Corpus Christi and with increased importance given to the Eucharist. The process of humanizing the figure of Christ reaches its peak with the abandonment of all the previous expressive conventions in favor of more realistic details we can observe in this Crucifix, such as the swollen belly, the arms stretched to the limit of muscle tearing, the body falling heavily forward, the abundant blood on the wounds, and the cross firmly embedded in the rock of Calvary. It's worth noting that Renaissance candelabra...

Cercle of Jacopo della Pila (Lombard, in Naples 1471-1502) Marble relief depicting a winged Cherub Naples, second half of15th century 40 x 57 x 12 cm Exquisitely carved, this relief portrays a winged cherub with cascading hair and delicate features. The cherub's plump, smooth countenance, rounded cheeks, outlined lips, and finely drawn nose emanate a sense of tenderness. The quadrangular module, is adorned with a carved frame. The relief ascends gradually, transitioning from the low relief of the wings to the high relief of the head. The rectangular frame and the subtly curved form of the artwork suggest that the relief likely adorned the upper part of an arch or a vaulted chapel. The type is that of the perspective room with a coffered ceiling decorated with figures of winged cherubs, which is found in various Neapolitan chapels of the 15th century. Coffered ceilings attest to the recovery of antiquity and the search for luxury in Renaissance architecture, first in Florence, then in Rome and Naples. The majority of the numerous family chapels and tombs built during the late fifteenth century in south of Italy employ the new formal vocabulary of the Florentine Renaissance in a self-confident manner that permitted a broad spectrum of variations. The escalating admiration for the classical world, coupled with the development of perspective, significantly contributed to the Renaissance endorsement of coffered ceilings. This artistic and constructive device drew inspiration from the intricate marble patterns observed in historical landmarks such as the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, the Pantheon, and the Basilica of Maxentius. A distilled product of both mathematical and artistic cultures, deeply scrutinizing the ancient world, the coffered ceiling plays a vital role in the perspective construction of space with its regular and directional geometry. The motif of the coffered ceiling decorated with cherubs in relief was introduced in Naples by Francesco Laurana in the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo. Laurana's impact on the art scene in the south of Italy was profound. The introduction of the winged cherub into the region's artistic vocabulary bridged the gap between the classical and the contemporary, creating a synthesis that resonated with both aesthetic and spiritual sensibilities. His influence extended beyond the immediate visual appeal, shaping the cultural identity of the Renaissance in southern Italy. Although the plastic decoration of the Arch of Castelnuovo cannot certainly be ascribed to a mature Renaissance style, it was precisely on this occasion that the sculptors who worked there could get to know and export throughout the Italian peninsula that type of "Florentine classicism" which, even in the 15th century Naples, was conditioned by the Burgundian culture imported into the Kingdom by Alfonso of Aragon himself, with artists called from Spain and Northern Europe. The coffered ceiling, with its geometric patterns and Laurana's winged cherubs nestled within, became a symbol of refinement and cultural sophistication. The relief sculptures, carefully integrated into the overall design, transformed the ceiling into a celestial realm, inviting viewers to contemplate the divine while immersed in the grandeur of the Renaissance space. Similar winged cherubs appears also in the Naples cathedral. Within the renowned Succorpo Chapel, a mesmerizing marble coffered ceiling adorned with cherubs epitomizes the splendor of the Neapolitan Renaissance. The interplay of light and shadow on the textured surface of the marble coffered ceiling introduces an ethereal dimension, providing an immersive visual experience for observers. The geometric precision and the repeated patterns, reminiscent of classical motifs, establish a sense of harmony and balance that has become the hallmark of the Neapolitan interpretation of Florentine Renaissance aesthetics. Although probably intended to be admired from a distance, this cherub is intricately detailed and exquisitely rendered: the face and hair are elegantly outlined and the feathers are textured through juxtaposed lines. The marble, both figurative and decorative, adheres to the principles of balance and restrained ornamentation typical of the « Florentine Classicism ». Harmonious shapes and gracefully orchestrated curves , rooted in the classical repertoire, converge to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty. The surface displays the masterful use of a chisel to intricately carve the feathers and facial features, creating an almost abstract quality. This work is a testament to a sculptor of great skill and rich figurative knowledge, seamlessly blending classical firmness in contours with a refined treatment of the marble's surface. The combination of tradition and innovation point to a stylistic idiom from Lombardy, in particular we can find some comparaisons with the works of Jacopo della Pila, sculptor of Lombard origin working in Naples in the second half of the 15th century. He is documented there between 1471 and 1502, and is a protagonist of the Aragon Renaissance in the second half of the Quattrocento, together with the other great Northern sculptor active in the kingdom, Domenico Gagini. the first commission he received dates back to August 9, 1471, when Jacopo publicly committed to sculpting the funerary monument of Archbishop Nicola Piscicelli to be placed in the Cathedral of Salerno. The last known work is an altar ordered on July 29, 1502, by the noble Jacopo Rocco for the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in Naples. Between these two chronological extremes (1471-1502), we must place the fervent activity of the artist, who had trained in Rome, perhaps under the guidance of Paolo Romano but also engaged in dialogue with other major artists of the city, especially Isaia da Pisa. He enriched his experience in Naples, initially drawing inspiration from the works of Domenico Gagini and later from the Tuscan masterpieces of Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano destined for the church of Santa Maria di Monteoliveto. Jacopo della Pila's artistic personality is thus based on a complex interplay of influences, contributing to the definition of a highly personal style. Close comparaison can be made between our cherub and the winged angels reliefs...

Two cylindrical specimens in Breccia Skyros Marble or Settebassi Those two cylindrical specimens are perfect to serve as bookends or to presents works o...

Paul Marien (1932)
 The attributes of the engraver Oil on canvas mounted on panel, signed lower right 30 x 40 cm In Les Attributs du Graveur, Paul Marien pays homage to the traditio...

Iconic Zigzag chair prototype Netherlands, 1970 73,5 x 39 x 39,5 cm Iconic chair composed by four wooden planks hinged end to end to form an extremely striking example of an unstabl...

Statuette of the Virgin South-German, circa 1600 sculpted wood circa 1600 (right arm restored) 52 cm

Balsamarium shaped as a Bust of a Black Boy Bronze, silver inlaid eyes and lips, Roman, 1st – 2nd Century AD Provenance: Private London Collection formed 1965-1975 H 10 cm (4 in...

Tuscan Coat of Arm in terra-cotta signed "A. Salvietti 187x" Signed and Dated "A. Salvetti 187x" 73 x 48 cm Antonio Salvietti (1854-1931) was an Italian architect and painter. He w...

A terracotta bust "Ecce Homo" Florence, 15th century 53 x 44 x 31 cm

Cassa-forte Double door safe Italian, 18th Century Iron & Wood Height: 157 cm Width: 104 m Depth: 53 cm

Marble Roman relief representing a Christogram Roman relief - 4th century 25 x 22 x 8 cm Provenance : Collection of the Château de B. À Nevers by Georges C.S., scholar born in 1833 and deceased in 1909 The entire castle and its collections were acquired in 1938 by the current owners of the estate A christogram is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abreviation for the name of Jesus Christ. This rare fragment combines chi (X) and rho (P), the first two letters of Christ's name in Greek and it is one of the oldest and most popular early christian symbol. The monogram of Christ, or chrismon, is also a powerful symbol of imperial victory: it appeared to Emperor Constantine the Great before his battle against Maxentius in ad 312, promising victory in the name of Christ. In Plato's Timaeus, it is explained that the two bands which form the "world soul" (anima mundi...

Large Terracotta relief of the flight into Egypt Lombardy, first half of 17th century Painted terracotta 91 x 85 x 11,5 cm This event in the early life of Christ is recounted i...

Agnolo di Polo (Firenze 1470 - Arezzo 1528) Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Around 1510-1520 Painted and gilded terracotta 55.5 x 24 x 16.5 cm San Nicholas de Tolentino is represe...

Carlo Marcellini (Florence 1644 – 1713) Putto White and green marble 41.5 x 73.5 cm This marble putto carved in high relief, almost a tutto tondo, and set on an elegant green marble background, appears almost naked, sitting on a cloud. His peculiar pose, in adoration, suggests that the work was a part of a larger composition including other figures in devotion. Published in 2007 by Sandro Bellesi in the monograph dedicated to Gioacchino Fortini (pg.155), this beautiful marble putto was included in the catalog of Carlo Marcellini, a prominent figure in the baroque renewal of Florentine art. Born in Florence in 1644, Carlo Marcellini received his artistic education in the city of the lily, specializing in stone sculpture and stucco modeling under the guidance of Bartolomeo Cennini before continuing his studies in Rome in the Accademia Medicea founded by the Grand Duke Cosimo III in order to familiarize some more promising artists with the essential “ taste of Rome ”. Under the guidance of Ercole Ferrata and Ciro Ferri, Giovan Battista Foggini...

Gothic canopy France, 15th century Alabaster, some traces of polychromy 33 x 23 x 20 cm Provenance: - Private collection Genève, Switzerland ...

Karin Mobring Safari chair « Diana » 1970 Leather, linen, Pine 70 x 63 x 60 cm The frame is made in wood and upholdery is made in Swedish ecru linen. These Safari chairs are a design by Karin Mobring and they were produced in the 70s. This model is also called the "Diana Chair...

A Mughal ivory inlaid wood Cabinet Noord-West Indie 17th century 27 x 40,2 x 30 cm Cites number : 2023/BE00124/CE Of rectangular form with...

Fra Mattia Della Robbia (Firenze 1468-1534) Saint Joseph Terracotta Tuscany, around 1505-1510 55 x 40 x 30 cm Marco della Robbia the Younger (April 6, 1468 in Florence - 15...

Antonio Travi called Le Sestri (Sestri Ponente, 1608 - Genova 1665) Seascape with ruins Genova, First half of 17th century Oil on canvas with his original 17th century frame M...

Griffin head Italy, 16th century On a modern metal stand Measures: 20 x 29 x 21 cm (without the stand) The griffin is a legendary creature with the body of a lion, the head an...

Leather trunk Spanish, 17th century Boiled Leather, wood and iron Measures: 22 x 53 x 32 cm. Provenance : - collection Metz-Noblat, Château de Clevant, France Rectangular trunk of the form and size of a small suitcase with wrought iron hinges and lock-plate. Wood, covered with leather, cut and embossed with every surface of the thick cow hide covered in interlace, zoomorphic features. The construction method is boiled leather, often referred to by its French translation cuir-bouilli: a process used to change flexible, vegetable-tanned leather into rigid, moulded objects. For shaping of the vegetable-tanned leather, heat and moisture were used, as indicated by the term boiled leather. No written medieval sources describing the production of decorated cuir bouilli objects survive, so knowledge of the process relies on the important studies of the Scottish leather historian John William Waterer. A large range of methods, materials and techniques could be used in various combinations. The vegetable-tanned leather, made supple with moisture and heat, was stuffed, shaped and nailed to the rigid wooden coffer support. The stuffing material was probably modeled beeswax or stearin wax. To shape the leather, to create its topography, « Cushions » were made by lacing a thread through an awl hole and attaching the flexible leather and stuffing to the rigid wooden support on the bottom. Then the decoration was done: lines were incised through the upper layer of the leather (epidermis) with different thicknesses of knives or needles. Contours were created with deep v-shaped cuts, decoration with thin incision and final details with a needle point. For the incision and pouncing stage, the leather was probably kept heated and moistened for suppleness. Once dry, the leather would be hard and rigid. the saturated leather is worked over a form, possibly even damp sand, with the pattern shaped using bone or wooden tools. Compare to metal, leather was lighter and it offered protection from cuts and punctures. Cuir bouilli objects were produced by specialist leather workers and needed skillful craftsmanship. The surface is filled with roundels shaped foliages enclosing animals, lions and peacocks. The foliate arabesques creating a vegetal connection tweet the animals create the impression of a lush verdant space . The vegetal pattern here employed in combination with geometrical pattern came from the pre-islamic artistic traditions of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. An aspect of Islamic geometry Is the basic symmetrical repetition and mirroring of the shapes that create a sense of harmony. The decoration of this truck is inspired by the islamic « arabesque » a form of vegetal ornament composed of spirals, intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs. An arabesque character is given to the birds of the decorations through extreme stylisation. This arabesque maintained the classical tradition of median symmetry, freedom in Detail and heterogeneity of ornament. The presence of the peacocks is a paradisiacal allusion: in popular Islamic literature they were among the original inhabitants of the garden of Paradise expelled with Adam and Eve. Peacock as a decorative motif may have originated in the West, despite their eastern provenance. There was an ancient belief that the flesh and feathers of peacock do not decay. This led to the peacock becoming a christian symbol for Christ’s resurrection. Renowned for their decorative wall hangings, seventeenth-century Spanish leatherworkers also produced utilitarian objects, such as this trunk. A similar trunk is on display at the Metropolitan museum of art ( 09.158.1). Related literature : Davies L. 2006. Cuir bouilli. Conservation of leather and related materials, 94-102, Oxford: elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Grabar, Oleg. The Mediation of Ornament. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992 Gabriela Germana Roquez, "El mueble en el Peru en el siglo XVIII...

Large stone capital carved on each side in strong relief. The basket is covered with two crowns of vertical acanthus leaves which sprout from the astragal and fill the space between ...

A terracotta bust of Christ as The Redeemer Tuscany or Emilia Romagna, late 15th century Measures: 46 x 43 x 21 cm This powerful, moving bust of...

Walter Shirlaw (1838-1909) Study for decorative panel Pencil and watercolor on paper mounted on paperboard Measures: 62.5 x 74 x 5 cm (with frame) 50.5 x 62 (without the frame) Signed in the circle lower right Born near Glasgow in Scotland, Walter Shirlaw settled with his family in New York in 1841, when he was two or three years old. As a young boy, he took night classes at the National Academy of Design, and first exhibited his work there in 1861. The first years of his career were spent as an engraver at the American Bank-Note Company, while at the same time attempting to establish himself as a painter. He later moved to Chicago, where he continued to work as an banknote engraver and also taught art at the Chicago Academy of Design. In 1870, at the relatively late age of thirty-two, Shirlaw travelled to Europe to study. Prevented from settling in Paris by the Franco-Prussian War, he instead studied in Munich, where he joined the small group of American painters working in the city, including Frank Duveneck and William Merrit Chase...

Turned, engraved and openwork box Fruit wood Florence, 17th century Measures: Diameter 11cm Height 4.4cm.  

Portrait of a Gentleman from Della Ruota family Lombardy, dated 1624 Oil on canvas Measures: 105 x 81 cm (without the frame) The coat of arms at the top left of the portrait identifies the effigy as an aristocrat belonging to the Lombard family Della Ruota, represented at the age of 61 in 1624. The presence of vanity at the bottom right is a clear reference to the passage of time, to the aging and dying body...

Bronze mortar with garlands, flowers and putti - Tuscany , second half of 17th century. Measures: height 10 diameter : 13 cm Artisans and healers used mortars for grinding food...

Mid-century wicker rattan ottoman Italy, ’50 - ’60 Measures: Diameter : 76 cm; Height : 38 cm Iconic Mid-century ottoman, in the style of Italian designer Franco Albini. Manufactured in Italy in the 1950's. Due to its large proportions, this stool would also make a great side table. The timeless designs in rattan fits well with current developments and demands for sustainable furniture...

Series of Six Architectural Drawings Italy, '40 - '50 Signed and dated "P. Sinisi" (between 1948 - 1951) Pencil on paper black frame 67 x 52 x 1.2 cm (with frame) 48 x 33.5 ...

Wax relief depicting a vase with flowers Italy, mid-19th century Signed "Scot. inv et fecit" Measures: 37 x 44 x 7,5 cm.  

Pair of chiseled candlesticks plated brass Germany, probably Nuremberg 17th century H 12 x (base diameter) 9,5 cm Very good conditions.

Russian Carved bone table box Carved bone table box North of Russia, 18th century 12,5 x 23,2 x 7 cm Rectangular box with a wooden core in bone veneer...

Pair of silver amulets of two fantastic animals Naples, late 18th- early 19th century Silver, punches and the seal of the Kingdom of Naples Measures: ...

Cerberus Black painted stone Italy, 17th century Measures: 80 x 69 x 36cm (one head missing) Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog Over the multitude immers'd beneath. His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts (Dante, Inferno, Canto VI). Cerberus figure seated, in his role of ferocious guardian of the underworld; he shows a nervous musculature, an adherent skin which reveals the ribs, long and robust limbs; his heads are broad and the eyes set well apart. Painted in black to amplify his menacing look, the infernal guardian is depicted with his famous attributes, writhing his heads, growling and barking furiously. Cerberus, in Greek mythology, was the monstrous watchdog of the underworld – also known as the “hound of Hades” – preventing the dead from leaving, and making sure that those who entered never left. A child of Typhon and Echidna, he was part of a monstrous family, which included Orthus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Chimaera as well. Only on three occasions Cerberus was tricked by visitors of Hades: Heracles did it with his strength, Orpheus with his music. In "The Inferno", Dante places Cerberus as the guardian of the third circle of Hell. With his three mouths, Dante saw Cerberus as a beast that was synonymous with the sin of Gluttony. Virgil gets past the monster by throwing mud in his three mouths, temporarily choking him. Very rare are the representations of Cerberus in ancient statuary...

Wood and leather game box for chess, Nine men’s morris and Backgammon Italy, 19th century 33 x 33,3 x 11,2 cm Nine men’s morris also known as mill game (merelles, from the Latin wor...

Marble lion white marble France, probably Périgord, 17th century Small marble lion wearing a coat of arms pendant with the engraved date, ...

Large base of molded hexagonal pilaster in burgundy stone carved with vines, grapes and rosettes in high relief. Burgundy, 15th century 28 x 63 x 30 cm Provenance : collection De...

Cercle of Juan Martinez Montañés (1568-1649) Infant St John the Baptist Spanish, 17th century H 74 cm Saint John the Baptist is here represented naked, sitting on a rock, with...

Leandro Bassano (Bassano del Grappa 1557 - Venise 1662) Portrait of a savant Venise, XVI century Oil on canvas; modern frame. Measures: 117 x 88 ...

Pair of beautifully carved wooden chairs Lombardy, first half of 17th century H 86 x L 48 x P 43 cm Pair of “da balia” (nanny) chairs. The backrest is decorated with winged myt...

Carved Limestone balustrade. In a modern metal frame. North of France, Ile de France or Normandy. End of the 14th century - first half of the 15th century. Measures: 90 x 62 x 8...

Cercle of Romano Alberti, dit Il Nero da Sansepolcro ( San Sepolcro, 1521-1568 ) Page Mixed media : wood core, papier mâché, stucco, polychrome and gilded Italy, around 1530-154...

Hercules holding a coat of arms Flemish, XVII century White and black marble Measures: 67 x 32 x 19 cm Hercules is depicted naked, holding a coat of arms with the right hand an...

Louis Thomas Jérôme Auzoux (1797-1880) Skinned Human anatomical Model Paris, around 1850 135 cm In the 1820s Louis Auzoux, a French medical graduate ...

Alfio Mongelli (Rome 1939) Scomposizione Matematica - ABC 75,3 x 65,5 x 10 cm steel and wood 1980 Steel sculpture on wood; label indicating the title and the author at the bottom r...